Improvement in metallic cans



G. W. BELL.

I Metallic Can. No 167 870 Patented Sept.21,1875.

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- UNITED STATES PATENT Orrron.

GEORGE W. BELL, OF BROOKLYN, NEW YORK.

IMPROVEMENT IN METALLIC CANS.

Specification forming part of Letters Patent No. 167,870, dated September 21, 1875; application filed March 12, 1875.

To all whom it may concern:

gaged and opened.

In manufacturing cans according to my improvements the top is made of a size to project over the vertical sides of the can by a flange just wide enough to form the joint or seam. The cord or packing is then placed within the angle all around the exterior edge of the can, and close to the under surface of the projecting flange of the top, and the flange is then turned over and crimped upon it by the usual mechanical means.

I have found by experiment that the fibrous cord or packing thus arranged exercises a very useful andvaluable purpose in making the seam, joint, or flange complete and watertight.

In the generality of cans this packing will absorb moisture to some extent from the contents of the can, and, swelling, thereby fills and closes the aperture completely.

If it is desired to open the joint or flange and to remove the top or end of the can without the use of mechanical appliances, I make the packing of a sufficient length to extend around the joint or flange, and to project at one end sufficiently to be grasped by the thumb and finger, and thus, by pulling upon the loose end downward until the whole packing is disengaged, the flange is sufficiently opened to remove the top.

Instead of the fibrous packing above described, a packing may be used which consists of wire coated with some fibrous or textile fabricsuch as cloth, rubber, or paper-or a rubber cord may be used.

In the accompanying drawing, Figure I represents the can in side elevation, A being the Fig. IV represents the wire packing O in side view, the wire being coated with rubber, 0 being the inclosed wire, 0 the coating removed to show the wire.

Having thus described my improvements and manner of constructing the same, what I claim therein as my invention, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is

l. -A cord or covered Wire inserted in a joint, seam, or flange of a sheet-metal vessel, having a projecting end to serve as a packing and opener thereof, combined substantially as and for the purposes set forth.

2. A flanged joint or seam for a sheet-metal vessel, inclosing a fibrous or elastic packingcord, substantially as and for the purposes set forth.

GEO. W. BELL.

Witnesses:

ALEXR. MELHADO, GEORGE BELL. 

